No Zika Virus Mosquitoes Found in PA, DEP Officials Find

According to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection officials, Armstrong County residents remain safe from the Zika virus.

State officials, though, still urge precautionary steps.

Through a regional update released yesterday, officials reiterated that there have not been any cases of Zika transmitted locally in Pennsylvania, nor have mosquitoes -including Aedes mosquitoes which have been found vectors of the virus - tested positive for the virus.

More than two dozen counties in Pennsylvania -including Allegheny, Beaver and Cambria Counties - have active surveillance sites for albopictus mosquitoes, commonly known as Asian Tiger mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are predominantly found in southern and eastern counties.

There have not been any specimens of Aedes aegypti collected, which are the primary carrier of Zika in South America. Aedes aegypti have not been found in Pennsylvania since 2002.

In early August, DEP and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and the Chester County Health Department responded to two imported cases of per the protocols outlined in the Zika Response Plan for clusters, or cases, of Zika. Imported cases of Zika were identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which works closely with DEP to identify clusters and initiate an appropriate response.

Mosquitoes collected in the Philadelphia cluster response activities were tested for Zika and all samples came back negative.

Mosquito trapping in Chester County did not find significant populations of the Asian tiger mosquito and samples were not tested.

Only Allegheny, Beaver and Fayette counties have recorded the presence of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

“The surveillance and cluster response by DEP and county governments has gone exactly to the Zika response plan, and I am pleased to note that there is no evidence of the Zika virus being carried by mosquitoes in Pennsylvania,” said acting DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “I want to continue to encourage residents to take common-sense actions like wearing insect repellent and eliminating standing water to cut down on mosquito activity.”

Surveillance conducted in Blair and Cambria counties each recorded zero specimens

“These mosquitoes are weak fliers, so if you see them, they are likely breeding nearby,” said Matt Helwig, program specialist in DEP’s Vector Management program. “Simple precautions to eliminate potential habitat and avoid contact can lead to a safe and itch-free summer.”

DEP recommends that residents do simple activities to reduce mosquito activity in their areas:

• Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold water.
• Properly dispose of discarded tires that can collect water. Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed.
• Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers.
• Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains.
• Turn over wheelbarrows and plastic wading pools when not in use and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths.
• Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish.
• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers.
• Wear insect repellant during times of mosquito activity. Aedes mosquitoes are active during daylight hours
• Keep doors and windows tightly closed, or ensure that screens do not have holes or tears that can allow mosquitoes to get inside the house

1 Comment

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  By lowfatlowcarbnosugarcheesecake, August 17, 2016 @ 12:39 PM

  Everyone getting worked up over nothing… Just like the swine flu… It was going to kill us all yet here we are to tell the tale!

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